bissonette denise

Job Finding
Success and Challenges
By: Chris Arnold, M.Sc. CESP
Session Objectives:
1. Identify the importance of engaging employers as
our ‘other’ clients in the employment process.
2. Focus on examples of turning strengths into
opportunities within a business.
3. Articulate issues around possible workplace
accommodations for the person you are supporting
in a new job.
4. Assess the possibilities of using tools such as job
proposals to help achieve employment outcomes.
~ Clipart used are from the office.com royalty free image library
Peter, Denise Bissonnette, Chris
Nanaimo, BC. June 14, 2014
Chris with his “Guru” on employment: Denise Bissonnette!
5 Key Factors
for
Job Finding
Success:
Key Factors for Success:
1. It’s who you know
(Networking)
•
Don’t only look for
connections when you need
something.
•
Often good connections need
to be nurtured and developed
over time.
•
Use every possible
opportunity to make a new
connection.
Key Factors for Success:
2. It’s what you know
(Research)
•See employers as your other client
•Do your homework
•It’s the ‘Discovery’ for your
employers… research.
•Business people will respect the fact
that you took the time to learn about
them.
Key Factors for Success:
3. Not waiting in line
(Non Traditional)
•Don’t make your jobseeker
compete with everyone else
•Find a way to make your
jobseeker stand out
•Highlight how he/she brings more
value than cost.
Jim at the Golf Course
• Had a connection from a job 14 years
earlier (Mike)
• Young man with complicated profile
• We needed a strong and supportive ally
• Solitary job, low contact with the public
Bev at Spee Dee Printers
•
•
•
•
Great artist
Excellent on computers / with numbers
Purchasing power
Recognition
Key Factors for Success:
4. Level Playing Field
(Business Approach)
•Using a business;
approach you have something to
offer.
•Gives you credibility.
Job Proposals
Proposal
Sections:
The details…
1. Introduction
Why are we approaching this business person?
2. Benefits
What could our job seeker do for them that would be
a benefit?
3. Proposal
What do we want them to do for our job seeker?
4. The Person
Who is the person we have in mind for this job?
5. The Position
The details of the proposal: start date, probation, rate
of pay, future opportunities, etc.
Arthur at Major
Chain Furniture Store
• New Owner, lots of upgrades, 2 delivery trucks
• Grand opening / ribbon cutting
• Any start up issues?... Bottleneck at assembly
• This issue = opportunity
• That opportunity = job
• That job resulted in additional work
Opportunity!
Key Factors for Success:
5. Seeing Opportunity
Everywhere
•Potential is everywhere
•Every business has needs or
problems that you might be able to
help them solve.
•Not every opportunity = a job so you
need to be open to seeing as many
as possible.
Terrace Standard August 15, 2012
This discouraging headline
appeared regularly in the
local press for many years
in our region.
Dealing with
Job Finding Challenges:
Challenge: Assumptions & Limitations
What sort of job would be
best suited for a person
with a disability?
What kinds of jobs can
‘those people’ do?
Oh no, a person living
with mental health issues
couldn’t do that job…
• What about a blind
mechanic?
• What about a lady with
down syndrome
working in a bank?
Challenge: Not Digging Deep Enough
• It is easy to take the first ‘skill’ or ‘interest’ the person tells you about
and run with it, without really looking into it deeper to help ensure
success.
• We need to really understand the + & the -, the pros & the cons, the
loves & the hate. Both sides matter if you want the best possible fit.
Filtering personal
feelings and opinions
in the workplace
Sometimes an
‘interest’ does not a
career make.
Challenge: Systems Limits
• We can’t bill for that
• Our job coaches don’t work
evenings and weekends!
• We are only allowed to
support for 4 weeks
• We can’t fund transportation
• How can I help them if they
won’t show up for
appointments?
• They haven’t returned their
paperwork
Challenge: Stuck in the “BOX”
• Sometimes it’s better if you’re not an
‘expert’ in everything!
“To a hammer,
everything looks
like a nail”
“If you always do what you’ve
always done, you’ll always get
what you’ve always gotten”
Thank You!
Questions or Comments?
Some Employment Resources:
Denise Bissonette
Authour of the book: “Beyond Traditional Job Development”
1994 Milt Wright & Associates Inc.
www.diversityworld.com
Employment Specialty Series
Online 15 credit specialty certificate program through
Douglas College
www.douglascollege.ca/ess
“Making It Work” by Chris Arnold
Specialized Employment Professional Development
Training Workshop
© 2009, PNGI www.pngi.ca